Looking for a good tent ...

Alec, Hannah is what I use, great for all sorts of weather, lightweight but a wee bit expensive, if your gonna use it a lot I reckon its worth the extra $$ Reply to this

In my experience, what drives the price of tents up is primarily the weight. Even dropping the weight of a tent by one pound can drive the price up by a hundred dollars or more. The main method of lightening tents is to use high-tech, higher cost materials for the pegs and poles, and strong but thinner material for the tent and fly. Backpackers are willing to pay this premium because every pound counts.

The good news for you is that an extra pound or two isn't a big deal if you're packing on a motorcycle. The actual packing size is only a little greater, since only the tent/fly material is a different size: the lighter pegs and poles take up the same space. The dedicated outdoor stores carry high quality products (here I'm making a distinction between them and department stores or sporting goods stores with a camping section). The difference in price between these products will reflect the packing weight, not durability or quality. In other words, you can go to this type of store, by the cheapest tent they sell that's the packed size you want, and still have a quality product. It'll just be a few pounds heavier than the much more expensive version. These places will also have many of their products set up on display, so you can compare the packed and pitched versions (on the East Coast, tent displays are seasonal, but in California, they're usually up year-round. I dunno about the in-between). If they're not up, ask the tent guy. They'll usually even pitch it for you unless the store's really busy. For this maybe go as soon as they open.

Without knowing a bit more about your needs (1- or 2-person, 3- or 4-season, ground cloth or not, porch or not . . . ) I can't really recommend any specific tent. I have owned Terra Nova (the costliest but lightest backpacking tents you can find, and my current favorite due to weight), Big Agnes, and Kelty, but I haven't heard anything bad about most of them you'll find at a good store. Reply to this

Dang and Zu ...

Thanks for your imput. YOu are right I dont really need a light tent because I will be camping near the bike. I will run over to the local sporting goods store and and start some comparisons.

I think I would need at least a two man tent with ground cloth and fly. I needed room to put gear in the tent with me.

Thanks for the help! Reply to this

Alec - I would definitely recommend you head to a outdoor specific store, rather than sporting goods. Preferably you'll want something with factory-sealed seams which most 'family recreation tent' manufactures don't have. You're best off not buying one at Dick's if I recall their selection accurately as I'm pretty sure none of them have that (Coleman, for instance, does not).

Do you have an REI near-by? I forget what the southern equivalent is. They carry all the big names that Dag mentioned above, as well as North Face (which is what our trailhead tent is), Marmot and their own REI brand (in my experience is still better than anything you find at your average sporting goods store). Might be a good place to do some online comparison and then you can search for the ones you think you like at your local retailers. Reply to this

Hi Shadow Man,

I checked the Backpacker's online catalog, and for the items they listed the prices seem roughly comparable to REI's (although obviously they don't carry the REI brand). Your closest REI is 100 miles north in Charlotte. My Terra Nova I had to buy online because it wasn't carried at any stores near me, but usually I buy in the store.

There are three main reasons to shop at places like this:

The ability to try everything out. I have spent hours at EMS and REI loading and walking around in every backpack of a particular size they had. The last pair of hiking boots I bought the salesman let me actually leave the store and walk a couple miles and back to try them out.

Knowledgeable salespeople. The employees at these shops are generally avid outdoorsmen themselves, and will give you good advice or find someone who can. These places operate on a marketing philosophy of loyalty and repeat business, so they won't risk losing your future business in exchange for a slightly higher sale now.

Generous return policies. REI in particular is known for this. They will NOT hassle you if it doesn't work quite like you wanted. Check the return policy at your local place, but it's probably in line with REI's. It's how they stay in business in the face of online competition. Reply to this

Found a good used tent from a friend of my sons. He used the tent 3 yrs ago when he hiked the AT.



I only paid $35 for it. It is a Sierra. The original owner said he paid about $175 for it. Did I do good? Reply to this

Hey there Alec - I went ahead and fixed that link for you. The forums don't support HTML so you have to use the Travelblog Formatting Codes found at the right.

Anyhow, I'd say if you found a tent you liked for $35 that's a win. I guess you'll know for sure how much of a good thing it is (or not) when you wake up dry after your first rainy, windy night 😉 Reply to this

Ya look as snug as a bug in there, well done on the bargain price, enjoy Reply to this

Thanks have you ever used this type tent before? Reply to this

In response to: Msg #143475

Takes a good sleeping bag but so far so good! Reply to this